McHenry County sees growing mosquito population after heavy rains

VFW preps for Queen of Hearts drawing

Heavy rains have contributed to a growing nuisance mosquito population around McHenry County, according to the McHenry County Department of Health.

Heavy rains have contributed to a growing nuisance mosquito population around McHenry County, according to the McHenry County Department of Health.

"A lot of the mosquitoes we're seeing now are nuisance mosquitoes from all the heavy rains,” health department spokeswoman Keri Zaleski said.

The county does not track the number of nuisance mosquitoes, which do not carry human disease. The West Nile virus has been reported in about a dozen traps this summer, Zaleski said.

"We have mosquito traps located throughout the county," Zaleski said.

The most recent mosquito pool the county collected that tested positive for West Nile virus was tested Sept. 11 from a Spring Grove trap, according to county data.

Zaleski encouraged local residents to make sure there is no standing water on their properties. Zaleski said each municipality is responsible for dealing with mosquitoes.

At the McHenry Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4600, Cmdr. Dwane Lungren said the organization hired Schopen Pest Solutions to spray before Tuesday's highly anticipated Queen of Hearts drawing. He expects about 1,000 people to attend the 8 p.m. drawing at the venue, 3002 Route 120.

The city of Crystal Lake announced Monday that a citywide misting to control the adult mosquito population would take place overnight Thursday, weather permitting.

More rain is expected this week.

"We've got a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday, and a 60 percent chance Wednesday," said Ben Deubelbeiss, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville.

McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett said in a post Monday night that the city was holding off on treatment until after the rain because it would negate the impact.

"The cost of doing a city wide spray is roughly $10K and I would hate to waste that money," Jett posted on Facebook.